Drainage of Railway Platforms

Over 2 billion people travel on average each year using rail passenger transport. The approximately 5,700 railway stations are heavily frequented, especially in large cities and transportation hubs. Commuters, students, and travelers get on, off, or change and wait for their trains. Reliable platform drainage is particularly important here to ensure the safety of passengers.

Requirements for Platform Drainage

At railway platforms, drainage channels must meet strict requirements for safety and functionality. The design of the system also plays a role, although to a lesser extent.

Safety

Railway platforms are usually constructed with a slope from the platform edge to the center of the platform (low point). This is done to prevent water from reaching the electrified track. The slope towards the center of the platform also helps to prevent wheelchairs, strollers, luggage carts, or similar objects from rolling uncontrollably towards the platform edge. Additionally, by ensuring the rapid drainage of rainwater, the risk of slipping is reduced.

Function

In some railway platforms, there may be restrictions on the construction height. Therefore, linear drainage systems in a shallow design are ideal for capturing and quickly draining rainwater. Platforms are often designed to accommodate a large number of passengers. The areas adjacent to the drainage systems are therefore large and mostly completely paved. It is necessary to safely collect and drain the precipitation. Additionally, the materials used, including drainage channels, should be electrically non-conductive. This requirement is specifically for the protection of travelers. In the event of an accident, electrified overhead lines with a voltage of 24 kV should not pose a danger to people present on the platform.

Design

Compared to the requirements of safety and functionality, the design of drainage channels at railway stations and platforms plays a subordinate role. However, the external appearance of the station is associated with a certain reputation as a public area. The design of the systems should blend into the overall image of the station.

Our Solution for Platform Drainage

Our RECYFIX drainage channels are made of high-quality recycled composite. This material is perfectly suited for installation near electrified railway facilities because it is non-conductive. That’s why our RECYFIX PRO channels, available in nominal widths of 100 and 150, are also included in the German railway construction standards (as of October 2020). Local standards may differ.

Additional benefits of RECYFIX PRO include: